The Sri Lanka Telecom crisis has deepened as a workers’ union alleges governance failures, questionable appointments and unresolved salary disparities.
The Sri Lanka Telecom crisis has intensified after a workers’ union accused the company’s Chairman and senior management of failing to resolve serious governance, staffing and salary-related problems.
The All Lanka Telephone Workers’ Union alleged that the Chairman appointed by the current Government had not addressed long-standing issues within Sri Lanka Telecom. Instead, the union claimed that his leadership had further complicated the company’s existing administrative problems.
The union made the allegations while responding to an inquiry concerning the current position of the state-linked telecommunications provider.
It accused the management of failing to fulfil several essential institutional responsibilities. The union also claimed that Sri Lanka Telecom now faces a severe governance and management breakdown.
The allegations remain claims made by the trade union. The article does not include a response from the Chairman or Sri Lanka Telecom management.
Sri Lanka Telecom Crisis Linked to Appointment Concerns
The union alleged that the Chairman had failed to act against fraud and irregularities within the organisation.
Instead, it claimed that the administration had protected individuals allegedly connected to questionable activities.
The union also raised concerns over appointments to senior positions. It alleged that some internal candidates without the required qualifications had received influential posts because of personal relationships.
According to the union, Sri Lanka Telecom could have recruited qualified external professionals for those positions.
It argued that the disputed appointments had weakened the company’s management structure and damaged confidence in its administrative system.
The union also highlighted the continued vacancy in the Chief Information Officer position.
It said the CIO role had remained vacant for nearly two years, despite its importance to a major telecommunications and technology company.
The union claimed that the prolonged vacancy had affected SLT’s future development, technological planning and customer-service standards.
Salary Disparities and Disciplinary Action Questioned
The workers’ organisation also criticised management for failing to resolve salary disparities affecting lower and middle-management employees.
At the same time, it alleged that the administration had introduced a salary survey mainly to increase pay for senior executive officers.
The union argued that this approach had deepened dissatisfaction among employees who had waited years for broader salary corrections.
It also made allegations about how management handled cases involving suspected financial misconduct.
According to the union, the administration paid compensation to some individuals accused of financial irregularities and then removed them from the organisation instead of pursuing legal or disciplinary action.
The union further alleged that officials previously removed over corruption accusations had later returned to employment. It claimed that some were allowed to retain employment benefits until retirement.
These allegations have not been independently established in the information provided.
Union Calls for Chairman’s Immediate Removal
The All Lanka Telephone Workers’ Union said the Chairman and management continued to stage media events despite making little meaningful progress within the organisation.
It accused them of misleading both President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the public about the company’s condition.
The union said its primary demand was the immediate removal of the Chairman. It described him as ineffective and alleged that his leadership had protected corrupt individuals instead of rebuilding the company.
The Sri Lanka Telecom crisis now places renewed attention on governance, appointments, financial transparency and employee relations within one of the country’s most important state-linked institutions.
Relevant ministries and regulatory authorities are expected to examine the allegations. However, any formal findings will depend on transparent investigations and responses from all parties concerned.
